Jiyoon sighed shortly after her handphone vibrates.

“What is it?” Kyuhyun asked, curious, “You seem irritated.”

“When Gayoonie is asking me to go for dinner with her? Wait. Let me correct myself, that isn’t a problem. Asking me to go for dinner with Doojoon oppa is. Seriously, isn’t it exceedingly obvious that when he’s there, the atmosphere beyond awkward. There’s no real hope of conversation whatsoever.”

“Having sat through it, I will have to agree.”

“Especially when I’m not getting a free meal out of this, which really, I can’t blame anyone for.”

“You’re right that you’ll have to pay for yourself. And heaven knows what kind of café or restaurant they’ll choose this time.”

“I’ll get lost just trying to look for it, seriously!”

“I’ll take it that you’ll spin some excuse to get out of the dinner?”

“Perhaps something about me not wanting to intrude. Not a fan of lying to my best friend, you know?”

Kyuhyun shook his head disapprovingly, “You tried that the previous time, didn’t work, Gayoon called you.”

Jiyoon cringes, “But I really don’t wish to go through the torture of sitting awkwardly at the table, trying in vain to have a decent conversation with them. Look, Gayoon may be head over heels with him, but my opinion of him is still.”

“Right down there.”

“A leopard doesn’t change its spots.”

“Perhaps. But at least he doesn’t seem to be irritated that Gayoon is inviting you along. Or at least, he’s doing a jolly good job hiding it.”

“I’d go with the latter. He can’t not be irritated.”

“Just spin some story.”

She snorted, “Don’t you think Gayoonie will know me well enough to tell in an instant?”

“Well…If you can come up with something she knows isn’t completely true, but will let you off the hook, then you’re fine.”

“So what would you suggest, if you’re so intelligent?”

“You can’t realistically expect me to feed you something usable, can you? You’re the one who understands the intricate dynamics of your relationship with Gayoon. I don’t think any intelligence can make up for a decade of friendship?”

Jiyoon chuckled, “Perhaps. But that’s not helping. And she will know that I’m stalling for time.”

“Just say that you’re studying with me ‘cause you have a test coming up.”

“That isn’t honest,” She scrunches her face while attempting to come up with a convincing sounding, yet honest excuse.

“Half